Lima man receives prison time for trespassing, assault
May 20—LIMA — A Lima man was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison for trespassing and assault.
William Gillette, 45, of Lima, was indicted on burglary and felonious assault, second-degree felonies, as well as domestic violence, a third-degree felony. He negotiated a guilty plea in April that included the dismissal of the domestic violence charge, leaving a lesser charge of trespassing, a fourth-degree felony, and felonious assault, a second-degree felony.
Gillette's attorney, Kenneth Sturgill, said Gillette was struggling with addiction and was on drugs at the time of the offense. Sturgill said Gillette's friends and family said he is not a violent or angry person when he is not under the influence.
Taylor Pennington of Crime Victim Services spoke for the victim in the case, who wanted Gillette to get anger management counseling and drug treatment and a lesser sentence of two and a half years.
Gillette said he has participated in a detox program and takes responsibility for his actions.
Gillette has been charged for at least two other domestic violence incidents in Allen County; one in 2013 and one in 2016.
Both Allen County Common Pleas judges recused themselves, so William R. Finnegan, a retired Marion County Common Pleas Court judge, presided.
